Prime Minister Robert Abela urged people not to be complacent, but rather go out and vote in the election.

“Others are trying to make you believe that the election will not change much. There are those who want the people to believe that they can stay home, that the election is decided. There are those who are ready to interpret every vote not cast as a vote in their favour,” he said, urging people to go and vote for his party on 26 March.

Abela was addressing a political rally in Paola.

He spoke of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

“A war is raging that is creating instability around the world. A war which worries us not only as politicians, but as people. We are a political force that always believed in peace.”

He said that what is happening in Ukraine reminds us of the worst a human being can do. “That is why, as a people, we must keep sending strong messages in favour of the Ukrainian people.”

“While Malta is small, our values have always been put on the side of good, especially in conflicts where we were, are and remain a country that cherishes neutrality and does so to foster peace. “

“The biggest worry are the heart-breaking scenes we are seeing each day.”

Abela said that when visiting people’s homes on the campaign trail, they are speaking to him about the possible impact the war could have on Malta. “The instability around us is resulting in issues that affect us,” he said, while mentioning the price of energy and food.

Abela said that “these circumstances lead us to understand the weight of the decisions we need to take together. How the leadership of a country cannot be taken for granted.” He said that the country should choose stability, where the leadership takes decisions to tackle the issues,” as we already are by keeping energy prices stable.”

Abela then turned to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Two years ago, he said, Malta faced the first Covid-19 case. “Everyone was in front of the television watching the international news, following what was happening around the world.”

He said that the government put the health and livelihoods of people at the forefront and that Malta was one of the countries that best fought the pandemic.

“All our frontliners were and are our champions.”

He took aim at the Opposition, “that used the pandemic as a political football.”

Abela said that at the critical moment when the country had to be united, “they divided, and they changed their captain in the middle of a storm. They also tried to divide the nation, but we didn’t allow them to do it, and you shouldn’t allow them to do it.”

He said that the emphasis must remain on the future. “We work to create stability and certainty. We work for a future that will let us continue to build a modern country.”

“While building on the good, we would change where needed.” He mentioned the FATF’s statement regarding Malta’s greylisting. “The FATF recognised how much we worked and the progress we made. From this challenge, we will create an opportunity. Malta will have another stamp showing that it is a serious jurisdiction.”

He said the PL is offering a vision for future generations. He spoke of the PL giving a guarantee to children, that every child would have the same opportunity to advance forward.

The PL Leader spoke about improving the environment, but also spoke of making families lives better through, for example, increasing the children’s allowance and the in-work benefit. He spoke about ensuring that every child would go to school with everything they need, from tablets to laptops. He also said that children must also have a chance for sports, culture and arts.

Abela spoke about meetings he held with youths about the future of the country. “Youths want their voices heard more. Yes, Vote16 will give more strength to your voices.” He said that he visited Junior College to listen to what youths had to say. “I want to listen to you, the future is yours. Students spoke about reforms they want, culture, concerns about costs of living. I was clear with them. Be the beating heart of these reforms.”

Abela turned to stipends and pensions, saying that a Labour government would further increase them. “We reduced taxes and we will again reduce them. We helped businesses and we will help them continue to grow.”

“You know where you stand with us,” he said.